Shellfish aquaculture basket cleaning method and cleaning apparatus

Abstract

To provide a cleaning apparatus and cleaning method having a high cleaning effect while having a compact and simple configuration, capable of cleaning a shellfish aquaculture basket without applying high-pressure water for washing to scallops in a state where the scallops remain inside the basket.SOLUTION: The invention provides a cleaning method for cleaning a shellfish aquaculture basket while shellfish remain inside. The shellfish aquaculture basket has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a mesh is stretched on an outer periphery, an interior is partitioned in a length direction into multiple stages at fixed intervals by a plurality of partition meshes, and a plurality of shellfish outlets corresponding to the respective stages are provided linearly in the length direction through a side mesh. The method comprises: a placing step of placing the shellfish aquaculture basket, with the shellfish remaining inside, on a basket carrier in a state where the basket is laid such that its length direction extends generally in the horizontal direction; a reciprocating conveyance step of reciprocally conveying the basket carrier on which the shellfish aquaculture basket is placed; and a removal step of removing foreign matters adhering to the shellfish aquaculture basket by ejecting cleaning water toward a portion of the shellfish aquaculture basket where no shellfish are present, from a lateral side of the basket in a state where the shellfish are collected in a lower portion inside the shellfish aquaculture basket during the reciprocating conveyance step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to cleaning shellfish culture cages, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for cleaning round cages by loading them onto a cage carrier and transporting them back and forth through a cleaning section. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of cages are used in scallop farming, including round cages, zabuton cages, and pocket cages. Cages vary in shape, size, and mesh size depending on the growth stage of the scallops. Foreign matter such as seaweed and other organisms such as oysters and barnacles adhere to the cages. When foreign matter adheres to the cages, it inhibits water permeability, which may have a negative impact on the supply of oxygen and food to the scallops. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly remove foreign matter that has adhered to the cages, and for this purpose, the cages are washed on board as necessary.

[0003] FIG. 1 shows a typical round cage 1. The round cage 1 is typically a roughly cylindrical aquaculture cage consisting of a top surface 11 and a bottom surface 12, on which netting is stretched over a circular frame, a cylindrical side surface 13, and multiple partition nets 14 arranged inside. The partition nets 14 are nets stretched over the circular frame and are arranged to divide the interior space of the round cage 1 at regular intervals along its length. Scallops S are placed in each of the multiple spaces (generally referred to as "tiers") separated by the partition nets 14. Each tier 15 is provided with a shellfish outlet 16 for removing the scallops S. The shellfish outlets 16 are arranged in a straight line along the length of the round cage 1, passing through the multiple tiers 15. The round cage 1 also has a hanging rope 17 for suspending the entire cage. The round cage 1 is typically 2 to 5 m long, 40 to 50 cm in diameter, and has 7 to 20 tiers.

[0004] Shellfish farming cages can be washed efficiently by spraying seawater on the scallops still inside the cages while they are pulled up on a ship. One example of a device for washing cages on a ship is the technology described in Patent Document 1. However, the technology in Patent Document 1 washes the entire cage with the scallops still inside, and is not capable of washing the scallops while avoiding them. This technology requires nozzles to be positioned so that the washing water is sprayed vertically onto the scallops inside the cage, and the cages must be washed with a low water pressure that does not crack the scallops. With this conventional technology, the washing water seeps into the scallops through the gap between the two shells, potentially causing the scallops to die after washing.

[0005] Patent Document 2 also proposes a method for cleaning round cages on board ships. In this method, a worker extends a round cage that has been pulled onto the ship from the sea, sprays high-pressure water onto the upper side of the cage, rotates the cage, and repeats the same process of spraying high-pressure water, cleaning the entire cage. However, this method requires the worker to manually extend the cage and move back and forth with a nozzle that sprays high-pressure water. This work is impossible for one person to perform and involves a significant workload. Furthermore, even if the nozzle movement is mechanized, the device that moves the nozzle is large and impractical for use on board ships, and the burden of maintaining the extended state is still placed on the worker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-136331 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6440180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] On small vessels with limited equipment due to safety concerns, the number of rows of round baskets that can be handled is also limited, at a maximum of about 12 rows, and even when extended, it is about 2.5 meters. In anticipation of cleaning round baskets on such small vessels, there is a need for a cleaning device that can be installed in a limited space and that can be operated by one person on a narrow vessel.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a cleaning device and cleaning method that is compact and simple in configuration yet highly effective in cleaning, and that can clean shellfish cultivation cages while the scallops are still inside, without applying high-pressure water for cleaning to the scallops. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for washing shellfish cultivation cages with shellfish still inside. The shellfish cultivation cages have a generally cylindrical shape, with a net stretched around the outside and the interior divided into multiple sections at regular intervals along the length by multiple partition nets, with multiple shellfish outlets corresponding to each section extending linearly along the length through the side nets. The method includes a loading step in which the shellfish cultivation cages with shellfish still inside are placed on a cage carrier so that their length extends roughly horizontally. The method also includes a reciprocating transport step in which the cage carrier with the shellfish cultivation cages loaded thereon is transported back and forth. During the reciprocating transport step, the shellfish are collected at the bottom inside the shellfish cultivation cages, and a removal step in which cleaning water is sprayed from the side of the shellfish cultivation cage toward the parts where no shellfish are present to remove foreign matter adhering to the shellfish cultivation cages.

[0010] In the loading step, it is preferable to load the shellfish cultivation cages onto the cage carrier in a state where they are stretched out in the lengthwise direction. In the reciprocating transport step, it is preferable to transport the shellfish cultivation cages with the shellfish outlets at the top. It is preferable that the cleaning water is sprayed toward at least the part of the shellfish cultivation cage that includes the shellfish outlets. Furthermore, it is preferable to rotate the shellfish cultivation cages on the cage carrier during the reciprocating transport step.

[0011] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning device for cleaning shellfish cultivation cages with shellfish still inside. The device comprises a cage carrier that can carry shellfish cultivation cages with shellfish still inside them, lying flat with their length extending generally horizontally. The device further comprises a transport unit that transports the cage carrier with the shellfish cultivation cages back and forth. The device further comprises a cleaning unit that sprays cleaning water from the side of the shellfish cultivation cage toward the part where no shellfish are present, while the shellfish are collected at the bottom inside the shellfish cultivation cage, while the cage carrier is transported by the transport unit.

[0012] The cage carrier of this device preferably has fixing portions at both longitudinal ends for fixing the shellfish cultivation cages in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction. The transport portion preferably transports the cage carrier with the shellfish cultivation cages loaded in an orientation where the shellfish outlet is located at the top. The cage carrier preferably further has a guard to protect the bottom of the shellfish cultivation cages containing the collected shellfish so that the cleaning water is not sprayed directly onto the shellfish. The cleaning unit preferably sprays cleaning water toward at least the part of the shellfish cultivation cage that includes the shellfish outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a compact and simple device can be realized, which can be installed on board a small vessel with limited cleaning space. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the round baskets can be effectively cleaned while protecting the scallop shells from being directly hit by high-pressure cleaning water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a round cage used in scallop farming. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is an assembled perspective view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a process of cleaning a round basket using the cleaning device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the state in which the device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is mounted on a ship. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (Summary of an embodiment of the present invention) In one embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning method and cleaning device for cleaning a round basket 1 with scallops S inside is used. After being pulled up from the sea, the roughly cylindrical round basket 1 with the scallops S still inside is stretched slightly and placed on a basket carrier in a horizontal position, and then transported to the cleaning section. By laying the round basket 1 down and collecting the scallops S at its bottom, the round basket 1 can be safely cleaned without spraying high-pressure cleaning water directly onto the scallops S inside. The basket carrier is preferably transported back and forth to the cleaning section.

[0017] When the round basket 1 is washed, it is preferable to position it so that the shell outlet 16 is at the top. It is easy to rotate the round basket 1 placed on the basket carrier around its longitudinal center axis so that the shell outlet 16 faces upward. The scallops S will gather at the bottom inside the round basket 1.

[0018] The round cages 1 are washed with pressurized cleaning water at the required pressure. The cleaning water is sprayed toward the round cages 1 from both sides as they move through the cleaning section. The cleaning water is sprayed toward the parts of the round cages 1 placed on the cage carrier where there are no scallop shells S. Therefore, the cleaning water is not sprayed directly onto the scallop shells S inside, preventing damage to the scallop shells S and water from entering the inside. Furthermore, because the cleaning water is not sprayed directly onto the scallop shells S, the cleaning device of the present invention can use a higher pressure of cleaning water than conventional cleaning devices. In order to prevent the cleaning water from being sprayed directly onto the scallop shells S, it is preferable that the cage carrier have guard side walls that protect the parts of the round cages 1 where the scallop shells S are gathered.

[0019] This cleaning device is designed to clean round baskets with a relatively small number of steps, and is therefore configured to have a short overall length. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, this cleaning device can be positioned so that its length extends along the width of the ship. In this position, one end of the transport section can be extended beyond the ship, providing a larger working space on board.

[0020] (Configuration of the round basket washing device) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a round basket cleaning device 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as device 2) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of device 2. FIGS. 2 and 3 are views seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the round basket 1. Device 2 comprises a conveying section 30 supported by a frame 20 preferably having four legs, a cleaning section 40, a basket carrier 50, a foreign object discharge section 60, and a case 80. When not in use, device 2 can be made compact by folding a portion of conveying section 30.

[0021] The conveying section 30 has a structure capable of transporting the basket carrier 50 back and forth, and has a pair of parallel rails 31, 32 arranged generally horizontally. The rails 31 have a first rail 31a, a second rail 31b, and a third rail 31c arranged in a straight line at one end of the conveying section 30 in the width direction, and the rails 32 are arranged in a straight line at the other end of the width direction, and have a first rail 32a, a second rail 32b, and a third rail 32c corresponding to the first rail 31a, the second rail 31b, and the third rail 31c, respectively.

[0022] The rails 31 and 32 can be folded between the first rails 31a and 32a and the second rails 31b and 32b, and similarly, between the second rails 31b and 32b and the third rails 31c and 32c. The folding mechanism can be any suitable technique known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. The length of the second rails 31b and 32b is, but is not limited to, such that their longitudinal ends protrude from the entrance 81 and exit 82 of the case 80. When the device 2 is not in use, the conveying unit 30 can be shortened and made compact by, for example, folding one or both of the first rails 31a and 32a and the third rails 31c and 32c upward. Because the conveying unit 30 can be shortened when not in use, the device 2 can be arranged longitudinally along the width of the vessel, even on small vessels, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0023] Rails 31 and 32 are not limited to being divided into three, and may be divided into two or four sections depending on the size of the ship on which device 2 is to be mounted. The width of conveying section 30 (the distance between rails 31 and 32) may be any width that allows basket carrier 50 to be placed on it and transported stably. The length of conveying section 30 can be set appropriately depending on the size of the ship on which device 2 is to be mounted.

[0024] The conveying section 30 has a plurality of rollers 33 stretched between rails 31 and 32. Each roller 33 has a shaft 33a, guides 33b attached to both ends of the shaft 33a, and flanges 33c disposed between the guides 33b and the rails 31 and 32. In this embodiment, ten rollers 33 are provided, but this is not limited to this, and the number of rollers 33 may be adjusted appropriately depending on the length of the conveying section 30, etc. The guides 33b and flanges 33c can suppress movement of the basket carrier 50 in the width direction.

[0025] The conveying unit 30 has a driving unit 34 that rotates the rollers 33. The driving unit 34 has a handle and rotating plate 34a attached to either the rails 31 or 32, and a chain 34b that transmits the rotation of the handle and rotating plate 34a to all of the rollers 33 or to a portion of the rollers 33 required for the movement of the basket carrier 50. At least one of the ends of the shaft 33a penetrates the rail 31 or 32 and protrudes outward, and a gear (not shown) is provided on the protruding portion to engage with the chain 34b and rotate the rollers 33.

[0026] In this embodiment, the rollers 33 are rotated using the handle, the rotating plate 34a, and the chain 34b, but in another embodiment, the chain 34b may be connected to an electric motor and the driving force of the electric motor may be used to rotate the rollers 33. In yet another embodiment, a long rod may be prepared and the basket carrier 50 may be manually moved on the rollers 33 by pushing or pulling the basket carrier 50 with the rod.

[0027] A case 80 is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the length of the conveying section 30. At least a portion of the conveying section 30 is located in a position corresponding to the cleaning section 40. By providing the case 80, it is possible to prevent cleaning water from splashing around. The case 80 has an entrance 81 through which the round basket 1 enters, and an exit 82 located on the opposite side of the entrance 81. The basket carrier 50 moves from the entrance 81 toward the exit 82, thereby allowing the round basket 1 to pass through the cleaning section 40.

[0028] The case 80 houses a cleaning section 40 that sprays cleaning water onto the round basket 1. The cleaning section 40 has two cleaning units 41 and 42. The cleaning unit 41 is arranged on one inner wall 83 of the case 80, and the cleaning unit 42 is arranged on the other inner wall 84 of the case 80. High-pressure cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning units 41 and 42 via hoses (not shown). In this way, by arranging the cleaning units 41 and 42 on the left and right of the conveying direction of the round basket 1, the round basket 1 can be washed from both sides simultaneously.

[0029] The cleaning unit 41 has three nozzles 41a, 41b, and 41c that spray cleaning water toward the cleaning unit 42 located opposite it. Similarly, the cleaning unit 42 has three nozzles 42a, 42b, and 42c that spray cleaning water toward the cleaning unit 41. The number of nozzles in the cleaning units 41 and 42 is not limited to three and may be two, four, or more. The three nozzles are respectively provided at the ends of three pipes extending outward from the rotating unit and can spray cleaning water supplied from the outside via the rotating unit and the pipes in this order. The cleaning units 41 and 42 rotate around the rotating unit in a plane parallel to the inner walls 83 and 84 by the reaction of the spray of cleaning water from the three nozzles 41a, 41b, and 41c and the nozzles 42a, 42b, and 42c. In another embodiment, the cleaning units 41 and 42 may be configured to rotate by a motor rather than by the reaction of the spray of cleaning water.

[0030] The pressure of the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzles 41a, 41b, 41c, 42a, 42b, and 42c can be set appropriately as needed. For example, if the foreign matter in the round basket 1 is only mud or seaweed, the pressure of the cleaning water may be 3 MPa or less, but if the foreign matter is sea squirts or the like, the pressure of the cleaning water is preferably 4 MPa or more. Because the cleaning water is sprayed onto parts of the round basket 1 where no scallops S are present, it can be used at a higher pressure than conventional cleaning devices.

[0031] The cleaning units 41 and 42 spray cleaning water from the side of the round cage 1, which is moving on the cage carrier 50. The lowest points of the three rotating nozzles 41a, 41b, and 41c are preferably set at a height where the sprayed cleaning water hits above the scallop shells S gathered at the bottom inside the round cage 1. The same is true for the three rotating nozzles 42a, 42b, and 42c. This makes it possible to remove foreign matter from the round cage 1 while preventing damage to the scallop shells S and the infiltration of cleaning water through gaps in the shells. The highest points of the three rotating nozzles 41a, 41b, and 41c are preferably at the top of the round cage 1, but may be further above that. The same is true for the three nozzles 42a, 42b, and 42c.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cleaning units 41, 42 are rotary cleaning units with three rotating nozzles, but this is not limited to this. For example, each of the cleaning units 41, 42 can also be a swing-type cleaning unit in which a nozzle is provided at one end of one or more pipes and the other end is rotatably supported at any appropriate position on the device 2. In this cleaning unit, cleaning water from the outside is supplied to the nozzle via the pipe and the other end supported on the device 2. In this cleaning unit, the nozzle at one end of the pipe moves in an arc around the other supported end as the center of rotation, spraying cleaning water. The lowest point of the nozzle moving in an arc is set at a height that prevents the sprayed cleaning water from hitting the scallop shells S gathered at the bottom inside the upright round basket 1.

[0033] The cleaning section 40 preferably has guides 43, 44. The guides 43, 44 can be attached to the inner walls 83, 84 of the case 80, respectively. When the round basket 1 passes through the cleaning section 40, the water pressure of the sprayed cleaning water causes the round basket 1 to swing left and right (so-called basket dancing), which may damage the round basket 1. In order to suppress this swinging, the guides 43, 44 are preferably provided. The guides 43, 44 are provided for the purpose of suppressing the swinging of the round basket 1 due to the water pressure of the cleaning water, so they need only be located at a position corresponding to at least the cleaning section 40.

[0034] The guides 43 and 44 are preferably made of smooth, thin round rods so that they will not damage the basket 1 when they come into contact with it and so that the cleaning water sprayed onto the basket 1 is not blocked. The distance between the guides 43 and 44 is not limited as long as it is large enough to prevent the basket 1 from swinging when the cleaning water is sprayed onto it. For example, when the guides 43 and 44 are positioned at the same height as the central axis of the basket 1, the distance between the guides 43 and 44 can be roughly the same as or slightly wider than the diameter of the basket 1. To ensure smooth entry of the basket 1 into the cleaning section 40, the distance between the guides 43 and 44 on the entrance 81 side of the case 80 is preferably gradually widened outward. Similarly, the distance between the guides 43 and 44 on the exit 82 side of the case 80 is preferably gradually widened outward so that the basket 1 can smoothly enter the cleaning section 40 after passing through it and then returning.

[0035] Below the conveying section 30, a foreign matter discharge section 60 is provided for discharging foreign matter removed from the round basket 1 by the spray of cleaning water. The foreign matter discharge section 60 has a collection section 61 for receiving foreign matter and a discharge port 62 through which the fallen foreign matter is discharged together with the cleaning water.

[0036] The device 2 has a basket carrier 50 that moves on the rollers 33 of the conveyor section 30. The basket carrier 50 can hold round baskets 1 with scallop shells S inside, laid flat so that their length extends in a generally horizontal direction. The basket carrier 50 preferably has a rectangular bottom surface 51 corresponding to the length of the round basket 1 when slightly extended, guard side walls 52a, 52b rising from each of the two opposing long sides of the bottom surface 51, and end side walls 53, 54 attached to both ends of the bottom surface 51 in the length direction. As a non-limiting example, the bottom surface 51 of the basket carrier 50 can be 1.5 m long and 40 cm wide.

[0037] It is preferable that a plurality of holes 51a are provided in the bottom surface 51 so that foreign objects removed from the round basket 1 can fall downward. In this embodiment, the shape of the holes 51a is circular, but is not limited to this.

[0038] The guard side walls 52a, 52b are inclined outward so that the distance between them gradually increases as they extend upward. This not only supports the lower part of the round basket 1 being transported from the side, but also guards the lower part of the round basket 1 where the scallop shells S are gathered, preventing cleaning water from being sprayed directly onto the area where the scallop shells S are gathered (i.e., preventing cleaning water from being sprayed directly onto the scallop shells S). The angle at which the guard side walls 52a, 52b incline outward is not particularly limited, as long as it can support the round basket 1 placed against the bottom surface 51 without causing it to sway from side to side. The height of the guard side walls 52a, 52b is set so that as much of the round basket 1 as possible is visible above their upper ends (i.e., so that the cleaning area is as large as possible). For example, but not limited to, it is preferable that the height be below the central axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the round basket 1. As an example, the guard side walls 52a, 52b can be 50 cm apart and 10 cm high.

[0039] The end side walls 53, 54 are attached to the bottom surface 51 and both longitudinal ends of the guard side walls 52a, 52b. The end side walls 53, 54 can be attached by fastening the fixing portions 53c, 54c to the guard side walls 52a, 52b with bolts or the like. The end side walls 53, 54 preferably have multiple drainage holes 53b, 54b. The tops of the end side walls 53, 54 are provided with basket hooks 53a, 54a for hanging the ends of the round basket 1 placed on the basket carrier 50. In this embodiment, the end side walls 53, 54 have a roughly fan-shaped configuration with a straight bottom and an arc-shaped top. However, the shape is not limited to this and may be, for example, a roughly inverted trapezoidal configuration with a straight top.

[0040] (Basket washing method) Next, we will explain a method for cleaning the round basket 1 using the device 2. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the process of cleaning the round basket 1. To avoid cluttering the drawings, the reference numbers of each part are shown only in Figure 4(a) and not in Figures 4(b) and 4(c).

[0041] First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the basket carrier 50 is placed on the rollers 33 of the conveying section 30 on the entrance 81 side of the case 80. Next, the round basket 1, which has been pulled up from the sea, is placed on the basket carrier 50 with the shells still inside (loading process). The round basket 1 is placed lying flat on the basket carrier 50 so that its length extends roughly horizontally. Although not limited to this device 2, it is assumed that round baskets 1 with a relatively small number of layers will be washed. When loading the round basket 1 onto the basket carrier 50, it is preferable to hook one end of the basket carrier 50 onto the basket hook 53a and the other end onto the hook 54a, and secure the round basket 1 in a state where it is slightly stretched in the length direction. The round basket 1 may also be loaded onto the basket carrier 50 without hooking its ends onto the basket hooks 53a and 54a. By placing the round basket 1 in a lying position on the basket carrier 50, the scallop shells S inside gather at the bottom of the lying round basket 1. It is preferable that the round basket 1 is placed on the basket carrier 50 with the shell outlet 16 positioned at the top so that the shells do not fall out of the round basket 1 during washing.

[0042] Next, when the operator rotates the handle and rotating plate 34a of the drive unit 34, the roller 33 connected to the chain 34b rotates accordingly, and the basket carrier 50 placed on the roller 33 is transported toward the entrance 81 of the case 80 (reciprocating transport process). The round basket 1, together with the basket carrier 50, enters the inside of the case 80 through the entrance 81. Inside the case 80, as shown in FIG. 4(b), pressurized cleaning water is sprayed toward the round basket 1 from rotating cleaning units 41 and 42 arranged on both sides of the round basket 1 being transported. Because the guard side walls 52a and 52b of the basket carrier 50 are configured to cover the lower part of the round basket 1 where the scallop shells S are gathered, the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning units 41 and 42 does not directly hit the scallop shells S inside the round basket 1. Therefore, the device 2 can spray cleaning water at a higher pressure toward the round basket 1 compared to the prior art.

[0043] In the cleaning section 40, pressurized cleaning water is sprayed directly onto the portion of the round cage 1 not covered by the guard side walls 52a, 52b to remove foreign matter adhering to the round cage 1 (removal process). The portion of the round cage 1 not covered by the guard side walls 52a, 52b is where no scallops S are present. Preferably, the round cage 1 is positioned so that the shellfish outlet 16 is at the top, preventing the scallops S from escaping through the shellfish outlet 16 during cleaning. Furthermore, since the cleaning water is sprayed toward the portion of the shellfish cultivation cage including the shellfish outlet 16, foreign matter adhering to and blocking the shellfish outlet 16 can be reliably removed. By appropriately setting the conveying speed of the cage carrier 50 and the rotation speed of the cleaning units 41, 42, pressurized cleaning water can be sprayed over the entire portion of the round cage 1 not covered by the guard side walls 52a, 52b, including the shellfish outlet 16. Note that if the area of ​​the round cage 1 to be cleaned is approximately 60% to 70% of the surface area of ​​the side surface 13 of the round cage 1, tidal flow can be improved.

[0044] When cleaning in the cleaning section 40, the round basket 1 may swing significantly from side to side (so-called basket dancing) due to the action of the water pressure of the sprayed cleaning water. Above the guard side walls 52a, 52b, guides 43, 44 are arranged on the left and right of the round basket 1 being transported to support the round basket 1 from the sides, thereby suppressing such swinging.

[0045] The foreign matter removed from the round basket 1 by the spray of cleaning water falls into the collection section 61 of the foreign matter discharge section 60 provided below the conveying section 30. The fallen foreign matter is discharged from the discharge port 62 together with the flowing cleaning water.

[0046] When the cleaning water has been sprayed over the entire round cage 1, depending on the length of the round cage 1, a portion of the cleaned round cage 1 will have exited the exit 82 of the case 80, as shown in Figure 4(b). Next, the basket carrier 50 is pulled back toward the entrance 81, causing the round cage 1 to pass through the cleaning section 40 again (reciprocating transport process). The handle and rotating plate 34a of the drive section 34 are rotated in the reverse direction, causing the basket carrier 50 to move toward the entrance 81, as shown in Figure 4(c). Pressurized cleaning water is again sprayed onto the round cage 1 placed on the basket carrier 50 from the cleaning units 41 and 42 of the cleaning section 40 (removal process).

[0047] After the basket carrier 50 has returned to the position shown in Fig. 4(c) after reciprocating, the same process can be repeated depending on the degree of removal of foreign matter. That is, the handle and rotating plate 34a are rotated to place the basket carrier 50 and the round basket 1 into the case 80 through the entrance 81 (Fig. 4(a)), the entire length is washed (Fig. 4(b)), and the handle and rotating plate 34a are rotated in the opposite direction to return the round basket 1 to its original position while washing it again (Fig. 4(c)). This process can be repeated multiple times.

[0048] After the first washing (i.e., the process of first moving the basket carrier 50 toward the outlet 82 and washing it in the washing section 40 during this time (the process from Figure 4(a) to Figure 4(b))) is completed, and before the second washing (i.e., the process of moving the basket carrier 50 toward the outlet 82 and washing it in the washing section 40 during this time (the process from Figure 4(b) to Figure 4(c))), it is preferable to rotate the round basket 1 on the basket carrier 50 about its longitudinal center axis. By rotating the round basket 1 at this timing, the washing water reaches parts of the shells that were not (or were difficult to reach) during the first washing, so that the washing water reaches them during the second washing, further improving the washing effect. The angle of rotation is not limited, but it is preferable that it be an angle that prevents the shells from falling out of the shell outlet 16 during washing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Round Cage 11 Top side 12 Bottom 13 Side 14 Divider net 15 steps 16 Shell Exit 17 Hanging rope 2. Round basket cleaning device 20 frames 30 Conveying section 31, 32 rails 31a~31c, 32a~32c 1st rail~3rd rail 33 Laura 33a shaft 33b Guide 33c brim 34 Drive unit 34a Handle and rotating plate 34b chain 40 Cleaning section 41, 42 Cleaning unit 41a, 41b, 41c nozzles 42a, 42b, 42c nozzles 43, 44 Guide 50 Basket Carrier 51 bottom 51a Hole for dropping foreign objects 52a, 52b Guard side walls 53, 54 End side wall 53a, 54b Basket hook 53b, 54b hole 53c, 54b Fixed part 60 Foreign matter discharge section 61 Collection Department 62 Outlet 80 cases 81 Entrance 82 Exit 83, 84 Inner wall S scallop

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a roughly cylindrical shellfish farming cage with shellfish still inside, the cage having a net stretched around the outside and a plurality of partition nets dividing the inside into multiple stages at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, with multiple shellfish outlets corresponding to each stage provided linearly in the longitudinal direction through the side nets, A step of placing the shellfish cultivation cages containing shellfish on a cage carrier in a state where the cages are laid down so that their length direction extends in a generally horizontal direction; a reciprocating transport process for transporting the cage carrier carrying the shellfish culture cages; During the reciprocating transport process, the shellfish are collected at the bottom of the shellfish cultivation cage, and cleaning water is sprayed from the side of the shellfish cultivation cage toward the part where there are no shellfish, thereby removing foreign matter attached to the shellfish cultivation cage. A cleaning method comprising:

2. 2. The cleaning method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing the shellfish culture cages includes placing the shellfish culture cages on the cage carrier in a state where the shellfish culture cages are stretched in the longitudinal direction.

3. The cleaning method according to claim 1 , wherein the reciprocating transport step includes transporting the shellfish culture cages in a position where the shellfish outlet is located at the top.

4. 2. The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning water is sprayed toward at least a portion of the shellfish cultivation cage that includes the shellfish outlet.

5. During the reciprocating transport process, the shellfish culture cage is rotated on the cage carrier. The cleaning method according to claim 1 .

6. A cleaning device for cleaning shellfish with shells still inside, which has a roughly cylindrical shellfish farming cage with a net stretched around the outside and a plurality of partition nets dividing the inside into multiple stages at regular intervals in the length direction, and a plurality of shellfish outlets corresponding to each stage that are provided linearly in the length direction through the side net, A cage carrier that can carry shellfish cultivation cages with shellfish inside, laid flat so that their length extends in a generally horizontal direction; A transport unit that transports the cage transport device carrying the shellfish culture cage back and forth; a cleaning unit that sprays cleaning water from the side of the shellfish cultivation cage toward the part where there are no shellfish, while the shellfish are collected at the bottom inside the shellfish cultivation cage while the cage carrier is being transported by the transport unit; A cleaning device comprising:

7. The cage carrier has fixing portions at both ends in the length direction for fixing the shellfish culture cage in a stretched state in the length direction. The cleaning device according to claim 6.

8. 7. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the transport section transports the cage carrier on which the shellfish cultivation cages are placed with the shellfish outlet positioned at the top.

9. 7. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the cage carrier further comprises a guard for protecting the bottom of the shellfish culture cages in which the shellfish are gathered, so as to prevent the cleaning water from being sprayed directly onto the shellfish.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning unit sprays cleaning water toward at least a portion of the shellfish cultivation cage that includes a shellfish outlet.

Images